I recently wrote about AOL trashing eyecare providers. The article referred to unnecessary tests etc. and I know it didn’t even mention catching cataracts, the world’s leading cause of vision loss. It bothers me to think that this article may cause some people to think they don’t need a regular eye exam and that drug store readers are all they need.
I saw an article in the paper recently about catching cataracts and a noninvasive test that tells when eyes are losing the natural compound that keeps cataracts at bay. Knowing their eyes are vulnerable could spur people to take common sense steps to reduce that risk like wearing sunglasses. Doctors at Baltimore’s Johns Hopkins University have begun experimental use to see how the exam might fit into the care of a variety of eye patients.
The article by Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press, had some interesting statistics about catching cataracts all of which say to me that optical patients over 40 should be getting an eye exam at least once a year and be informed about this subject. Most of you probably already know these stats but I bet your optical patients don’t. A mailer or ad with some of these stats might be good information to help bring patients in for an eye exam and thinking about the quality of their sunglasses. This information also makes me realize I need a good, thorough eye exam not just an Rx for new glasses. I think most optical patients are not aware of how much goes into a good eye exam, they are just thinking about their glasses or contacts.
Here are the stats:
- More than one in six people over 40 get a cataract
- Aging is the biggest factor but that are other risk factors
- Smoking
- Prolonged sun exposure
- Obesity
- Alcoholism
- A family history of cataracts
- Use of certain steroid medications
- Diabetes
- Eye injuries
Source: NC Times 8/19/09
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